Rebuilding the Engine: High-Protein & Resistance Mastery
In October 2024, Shaun was physically exhausted, struggling with low energy and poor gym results despite high-volume cardio. The intervention shifted his focus from “burning” to “building.” By eliminating excessive cardio and adopting a resistance-only program (5–6 days/week), Shaun prioritized muscle hypertrophy as his primary metabolic driver.
To support this demand, Shaun overhauled his nutrition to target 220–250 grams of protein per day. This provided the essential amino acids required to flip the anabolic switch. Over the course of the year, this strategy resulted in a staggering 32.9 lb increase in Skeletal Muscle Mass (142.1 to 175 lbs). Even as the scale dropped, his lean tissue increased, fundamentally changing his body composition.
The Peptide Protocol: Precision Metabolic Repair
Shaun utilized a sophisticated peptide stack to address mitochondrial dysfunction and hormonal decline:
Metabolic Agonists: Retatrutide served as the catalyst for fat loss, while SS-31 and MOTS-c worked at the cellular level to repair mitochondria. This directly addressed his chronic fatigue, providing sustained energy without the mid-afternoon crashes.
Hormonal Optimization: Tesamorelin, Ipamorelin, and CJC-1295 were used to maximize natural growth hormone pulses. This supported visceral fat loss and recovery, reflected in an optimized IGF-1 level of 229 ng/mL.
Nutrient Shuttling: L-Carnitine and Lipo-C were integrated to ensure efficient fatty acid oxidation, helping Shaun achieve a lean 9.7% body fat.
The Recovery Revolution: Optimizing the Sleep Cycle
Shaun’s transformation was cemented by fixing his “recovery floor.” Starting with sleep scores in the 40s, he used DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide), Epithalon, and Selank to repair his circadian rhythm and lower neurological stress.
By January 2026, his average sleep score reached 68. This improved recovery allowed him to sustain high-intensity resistance training and maintain the cognitive focus necessary to lead the Thrive Wellness Institute.
Clinical Validation: Key Lab Breakthroughs
The 12-month data confirms a total physiological overhaul:
Insulin Sensitivity: The most significant victory was the drop in Fasting Insulin from 25 uIU/mL to 12 uIU/mL. This 52% reduction effectively reversed his insulin resistance, moving him from a fat-storage state to a fat-burning state.
Lipid Profile: His
Triglycerides dropped to 45 mg/dL, and his Total Cholesterol remained healthy at
153 mg/dL. This, combined with a
Total Calcium Score of
0.381 (placing him in the 3rd percentile), indicates exceptionally low cardiovascular risk.
Kidney & Systemic Health: Despite the high protein intake, his kidney function (eGFR) improved from 54 to 62, and systemic inflammation (CRP) remained optimized at <0.3 mg/dl.
The Final Verdict
Within one year, Shaun didn’t just lose weight; he achieved a total biological upgrade. By merging high-protein nutrition, resistance training, and targeted peptide therapy, he reversed his Metabolic Age from 56 to 38. Shaun is now 18 years younger biologically than he was in October 2024.
